Durable scouring pads and composition therefor



May l5, 1962 P. T. VITALE ET AL 3,034,169 DURABLE scoURING PADS AND COMPOSITION THEREFOR Filed Dec. lO, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs PE TER 7. zf/ TALE Y GfoReEf/PANc/SMAR/ON www May 15, 1962 P. T. VITALE ET AL 3,034,169

DURABLE SOOURING PADS AND COMPOSITION THEREFOR Filed Dec. l0, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToRs 75 TER 7T' V/ TALE BY 'fORGE/'RAA/c/s AMR/0N ATTORNEY Stats 3,034,169 DURABLE SCS PADS AND CGMPOSITION 'HEREFR Peter T. Vitale, Clifton, and George Francis Marion,

Paramus, NJ., assignors to Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NX., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 10, 1956, Ser. No. 627,203 11 Claims. (Cl. 15-568) v ing pads is that the organic detergent present is soap which is unprotected against water hardness. When such a pad is used in hard Water the Water-soluble soap in the pad reacts with the salts constituting the hardness and forms Water-insoluble soap. This insoluble soap, generally termed curd or scum, not only is ineffective as a detergent, thereby reducing the efficiency of the water-soluble soap by necessitating the use of a greater amount for an eicient Washing concentration, but also contributes to other undesirable results by its presence. The water-insoluble soap is formed in situ throughout the steel wool mass of the pad, thereby making its removal extremely diilicult if not impossible by the usual washing means. After the pad is dry, the water-insoluble soap may become rancid and in that manner impart an unpleasant odor to the pad. It may also render the pad unsightly by contributing a yellowish cast thereto.

y Another disadvantage of present-day steel wool scouring pads is that the detergent composition washes out too quickly, thus resulting in a pad wherein the effective life of the steel wool far exceeds that of the soap.

A further disadvantage of present-day scouring pads is the rapid rate at which the pad becomes useless as a scouring means because ofthe rusting of the steel wool,

Stili another disadvantage of present-day steel wool scouring pads is the unattractive appearance which results from the method by which the steel wood and detergent composition are combined to form the pad.

The present invention makes it possible to overcome all or selected ones of these disadvantages of the present-day scouring pads by providing a scouring pad of novel structure which is advantageous regardless of the detergent composition used therein; by providing a new detergent paste composition which gives to a pad of any structure a longer life and superior performance by reason of its controlled rate of solubility and detersive and rust-inhibiting properties, but which is particularly advantageous in a pad of the present novel structure; and by providing a method of forming scouring pads wherein the detergent and steel wool are more easily and simply combined to form the pad.

Broadly the invention is concerned with a durable scouring pad of novel structure, preferably containing a new permanently plastic detergent paste-filler and the ne paste-filler composition per se.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a scouring pad comprises a ribbon of matter scouring wool furled about a permanently plastic detergent paste-filler. In its preferred form, the scouring pad of the present invention comprises a ribbon of matted scouring wool spirally surrounding a detergent paste-filler having certain herein after defined physical properties. A specific paste composition possessing these physical properties as Well as del arent sirable foaming and rust-inhibiting characteristics also lforms part of the'instant invention. Broadly, this composition consists essentially of water-soluble non-soap organic surface-active material and an inorganic alkaline buffer salt. Normally, the surface-active component is a mixture of a water-soluble non-soap organic detergent and a uid water-soluble non-ionic surface-active plasticizer.

A new method of forming the presentl scouring pads comprises applying a substantially non-aqueous detergent paste to the surface of a ribbon of scouring wool. More particularly it comprises the steps of applying a suitable plastic detergent paste, as defined herein, to the surface of a ribbon of scouring wool, furling said ribbon until the entire length of said ribbon is completely furled, and pressing the exposed end of said ribbon against the body of the resulting pad. In furling, the strip is folded over repeatedly along its length or rolled with the paste-carrying side interiorly disposed to form a pad or roll of desired size, which may then be attened or further shaped or stamped, as desired. The surface to which the Ypaste is appliedmay amount to merely a small portion of one Vend of one face of the strip, or may comprise one Whole face thereof, and ofcourse the strips referred to hereinabove may constitute individual strips or be segments of `a much longer strip which is cut into units during processingo o Y The detergent paste is a crucial element of the instant invention. It is essential to the present novel pads and to their preparation that the detergent paste possess certain .physical properties. The paste must be plastic and must vremain so permanently, i.e., in storage or until the pad is used. It must be Water-soluble so as to dissolve during use. It must not become brittle during the life of the pad so as to break into particulate form during use. Furthermore, it must not be liquid, i.e., a free-owing liquid, at the time of application or thereafter. The detergent paste must be a plastic deformable mass at room temperature, at the temperature of use, and at the temperaure of application to the steel wool. The plastic detergent paste which is applied to the strip of steel wool Vmust be suciently deformable at the temperature of application that it spreads easily on the strip of steel wool without, however, running through the mass of wool. A convenient and recognized means of measuring th consistency of plastic, pastymaterials is the American Society for Testing Materials Standard Method of Test yfor Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease,l A.S.T.M.

designation D2l7-48. It has been found that satisfactory detergent pastes are those which, at the customary ternperatures of application and use, i.e., in the range from about 70 F. to 185 F., characteristically show penetrations of about 20 to 200 units (one penetrometer unit equals 0.1 mm.) in the A.S.T.M. DZ17-48 test (as adoptedin 1948). Thus, it has been found that pastes characterized by penetrations of less than about 2O units are too stil to spread during application and tend to crumble and lose their flexibility on aging or storage in padrorm. Those pastes having characteristic penetrations significantly greater than about 200 units are unsatisfactory in that they are too free-ilowing and tend to cause the formation of pads sticky to the touch. A paste characterized by the desired penetration may be prepared by proper plasticization of a wide variety of organic detergentv materials by a suitable choice of additional ingredients, however, eX- amples of a preferred novel composition Will be specifically illustrated below.

According to the present invention a preferred deter'- gent paste composition consists essentially of a solid synthetic detergent selected from the group consisting of nonsoap anionic and non-ionic high-foaming synthetic organic detergent combined with an inorganic alkaline buffer salt having a pH in aqueous Asolution of about 8,5

When compounded in the proper propor- Y buffer and synthetic detergent, and normally constitutes from about 20 to 65% and preferably about 20 to 40% by Weight of the total composition. Compositions containing less than about 20% plasticizer often are too hard, Vdo not spread evenly and tend to crumble. -The presence of :moreV than 'about 65 %Y of a fluid plasticizer normally results in the'f'ormation of pastos which are too-thin land tend to separate.

paste compositionare selectedA from the group consisting A f offthe relatively high-foaming anionic and non-ionic detergents, i.e., those anionic and non-ionic synthetic detergents which` generate atleast about 150 rum. of .foam atV 0.1% concentration by Weight of the Ross-Miles Pour Foam Test (see Ross and Miles, Oil and Soap,.May

' 1941, pages 99l02; or see Ross and Miles, U. S. Patent 2,315,983). Suitable anionic `'detergents are well knownV V and include alkali metal and alkaline earth salts of vari- 'ous organiczsulfuric reaction products such as the higher alkyl aryl sulfonates, eg., the sulfonates of alkylated Abenyzene, toluene, cresohnaphthalcne and the likeY in which the t "alkyl group contains from about 10,-to 18 carbon atoms, -for example, sodium pentadecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium tetrapropylene benzene sulfonateyhigher fatty alcohol "sulfates such "as potassium lauryl sulfate and the lithium salt of sulfated alcoholsV derived from coconut oil by reduction; sulfated higher fatty acid monoglycerfides such as the magnesium salt'of mono-sulfated glyceryl monomyristate; and the higher fatty acid N-substitut- 'ed 4taurates such as sodium N-methyl N-oleoyl 'tau'rate Suitable non-ionic detergents include the solid waterV soluble ethylene oxide condensates of Water-insoluble Y (molecular weight 900 to 2,400) polypropylene glycols (Pluronics), and the higherfatty'acid alkanolamides such as lauric monoand diethanolamide. The synthetic detergent normally constitutes about 5 to 60% and preferably to 40% by weight of Ythe composition,V Although it is preferred to use normally solid synthetic detergents', normally liquid high foaming detergents such as the ethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols 4(Igepals),

eg., nonyl phenol condensed with from 6 to 16 mols of ethylene oxide, may also be used in the present pastes provided they are mixed with sufficient buffer salt, starch or'similar solid material to absorb the liquid and in essence, convert the detergent'to a normally solid form.

While it is' preferred that the lpresent novel pastes be `free of higher fatty acid soap, some soap may be present if there is also present suicieut lnon-soap organic detergent to protect it from theiharm'ful effectsV of hard water on its performance. Y Y

' vSuitable surface active plasticizers `Vcomprise liquid or pasty fluid, essentially non-volatile, Water soluble or dispersible non-ionic sur-face active agents. These are low melting materials such as the normally fluid alkylolamides ,of higher fatty acids-containing l0 to I8 carbon atoms, for example,/ theY diethanolamides of oleic or coconut oil yfattty acids, and the corresponding fluid glycerol amides,.as well as the'well-known liquid non-ionic deter- VThe inorganic buffer salt is present in an amount sufficient lto'inhibit rusting of steel Wool pads `in which the instant paste is employed. Thus,VV it has been found that about l0 to 65% and l.preferably 20 to 45% by weight of an alkaline inorganic salt, having a buffered pH in dilute aqueous solution of about 8.5 to ll and preferably 9.5 to' 10.5, enables pads containing the instant novel paste composition to overcome the disadvantage of the rapid rate of rusting of the present-day soap-containing steel Wool Ascouring pads. 'Examples of suitable buffer salts are alkali metal'alkalinebutlers such as the alkalimetal phosphates, e.g., pentasodium"trip'olyphosphate,

tetrasodiumpyrophosphate, trisodium phosphate, as well n t as sodium carbonate, and borax and mixtures thereof.

v .In order ,to prevent any deleterious action of the instant Y `'alkaline compositions on household aluminum ware,

about 3 to 20% and preferably 5 to 10% by Weight of a corrosion inhibitor, such as sodium silicate, may desirably be' incorporated in the presentpscouring paste.

One method of preparation of theV present novel paste consists of vfirst mixing the detergent and the plasticizer until a uniform mix is obtained. The silicate is then added and the mixture stirred thoroughly, followed by the addition Vof the alkali metal phosphate. The resulting mixture'is stirred, usually at an 'elevated ltemperature such as about 170 F., and when homogeneous is applied gents'of the ethylene oxide condensate type, e.g., ethyl- K ene Oxidecondensates of fatty acids, and fatty Vacid amideswhich typically contain from l0 to 18 carbon atoms in the fatty portion thereof. Other suitable Yethylene'oxide condensates may be prepared from alkyl phenols-containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g.,enonyl phenol. The foregoing ethylene oxide condensates are vnormally condensed with from 6 Vto 16 mols of ethylene oxide. Other suitable plasticizers are the liquid or pasty Water-'soluble ethylene Voxidecondensates of Water i'nsoluble (molecular weight 900 to 3400) polypropylenek Vglycols vr(Pluronics) These liquid or pasty surface active plasticizers have been found to depress the rate of solu- "bility of the instant compositions inwater, thus extend- Y ing the Alife of the present novel pads. The plasticizer also contributes vfoam and detergency to the paste and may, in some cases, exhibit some corrosion inhibiting properties. *The plasticizeris used in an amount suicient to enable the formation 'of a uniform mixture of the While Warm to a steel wool carrier.

The carrier is typically a length of steel wool approximately 2% wide and of sufcient length to Weigh about pad of` pillow-shape in which a narrow strip Valong each edge is permanently crimped while the center portion Vremains relatively iiulfy.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the initial steps in the preparation of a pad by depositing thin film paste along one entire face of a strip of steel Wool and then rolling the thus formed laminate ofpasteandV steel wool to form a pad in which the paste is uniformly distributed.V

FIG. 9 illustrates the preparation of pads by injecting paste intoY a preformed, looselyrrolled pad of steel wool bymeansof a hollow delivery tube inserted into the core thereoft Referring now to FIGS. 1-6,1a charge of a suitable detergent paste 20 as defined herein is applied to the upper surface 24 of an end portionV 22 of a steel wool strip 26. The paste-carrying end 22 ofthe strip is repeatedly'folded over as shown by FIGS. ,2,V 3 and 4 until the entire length 'of steel Wool is furled. The exposed end 30 is placed against the body of the pad (FIG. 4) and, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pad is crimped in a press 32, which ilattens and compresses the entire pad 34 and'crimps a narrow border 36 about its edges, thus enabling the pad to maintain its shape.

Another embodiment of the present process is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. According to this embodiment one surface 50 of a ribbon of steel wool 52 is evenly covered over its entire length with a layer of detergent `paste 54V having suitable properties as defined herein.

vwhich is suitable for crimping in a press such as that Sodium metasilicate (ratio of Na2O:SiO2 of 1:2)

of FIG. 5. After crimping, the final pad is similar in appearance to that of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 9 a nozzle 80 is injected into the core of a previously formed hollow cylinder of steel wool 82. The nozzle is connected to a supply of a suitabledetergent paste as defined herein (not shown) and a charge of the paste is injected through the nozzle into the pad. The nozzle is then withdrawn and the pad is crimped as illustrated in FIG. 5 to produce a pad similar in appearance to that of FIG. 6.

By the term substantially non-aqueous it is intended to indicate that the present pastes do not depend ou water for their uidity and do not require drying after application to a steel wool carrier. rl'hus it is contemplated to compound in the instant pastes, for instance, spray dried organic detergents which although apparently dry and free flowing, may in fact contain on the order kof 6-8% and even as high as 10% moisture.

The instant substantially non-aqueous pastes have been found to be considerably superior to aqueous pastes in several respects. For instance, it has been'found that aqueous pastes on drying in pads tend to become brittle and powdery whereas the present non-aqueous pastes, being free of volatile solvent, remain soft and Vplastic even on long storage. Furthermore the instant pastes do not require heating and drying in thecourse of manufacture, as contrasted toV pads which employ aqueous compositions as impregnating agents. The latter must be dried in ovens, and normally a considerable fraction of total production is lost by rusting of these pads during drying.

Having described the presentpinvention in its broader aspects, more detailed examples thereof are now given `in order to assist in a better understanding of its various ramifications, it being understood that these are included herein for purposes of illustration rather than limitation.

A. preferred formula for a detergent paste according to the present invention, expressed as percentage by weight of the entire composition, and methods of use thereof is as follows:

EXAMPLE I Percent Sodium salt of dodecyl benzene sulfonate (ca. 85% active ingredients and sodium sulfate, roll dried) 28.8 `Diethanolarnide of coconut oil fatty acids 28.8 Sodium tripolyphosphate 34.4

The pH of a 1% solution of this paste is about 10,

Vand the paste exhibits a characteristic penetration of about 64 units in die A.S.T.M. D217-48 Test at 70 F.

,The paste is heated to about 170 F., at which temperature its penetration is 83. A designated weight of paste is spread over one entire surface of a 6 gm. strip of steel n,

.the paste has been substantially completed washed out by usage, at which time foaming ceases too.

EXAMPLE II In another embodiment of the invention, a paste consisting of parts of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfona'te, 25 parts of the diethanolamide of coconut oil fatty acids,

.43 parts of pentasodiurn tripolyphosphate and 7 parts of sodium metasilicate is employed, however, the entire charge of paste is placed on the rst two inches `of a steel yWool strip 2% inches wide and of designated Weight y(eg. 5 or 7 grams) or length. The area to which the Ypaste has been applied is then folded over consecutively until a pad measuring 2% x 2% is obtained. The free end of the resulting pad is pressed into the body of 4the pad to prevent unravelling. These core-loaded frequently develop during this interval,'thus permitting multiple testing of pads in -a relatively short period of time. After repeated application of this rubbing procedure, e.g., 60 strokes on each side followed by a l to 2 hour standing period, the foaming of the pad will cease and concurrently the pad will become so corroded that it will be of no further use. durability test i-s an indicationV of the rate of solubility of the detergent paste vunder the conditions of the experiment, as it is the paste Ywhich contributes foaming and anti-rusting properties to Y In carrying out this durability test on the product of Example II, two series of pads were employed, one series containing 7 gr-ams of steel wool per pad, and the other containing 5 grams of steel wool per pad. All pads were prepare-d fnom strips of steel Wool 2% inches wide and Yabout 11 to 13 inches long, depending on the weight of steel wool desired and the density of the strip. These two series were run concurrently in a test of durability, the amount of paste in each pad being varied by 1 gram, starting with 5 grams of paste per pad and running to a maximum of 10 grams per pad. The results are tabulated in terms of the number of strokes occurring according to the above testing procedure before the pads lose ,their power to foam and to resist rusting.

Table 1I 7 GRAM STEEL woor. PADS 5 GRAM STEEL WOOL PADS EXAMPLE lIII Durability data are obtained ny the test procedure of Example II on pads prepared by spreading 10 grams of a paste consisting of 38.8 parts of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, 28.8 parts of the diethanolamide of coconut oil fatty acids, 34.4 parts `of pentasodium Itripolyphosphate, 2.6 parts of sodium silicate, and 0.4 part of perfume over one entire face of a steel wool strip 2% inches wide and of suicient length to weigh 6 grams and then folding the strip to form la pad 2% inches by 2% inches. The pads average 1320 strokes. Y

For comparison purposes, one of the present-day scouring pads now on the market, which consi-sts of approximately 4.6 'grams of steel Wool impregnated with 6.5 grams of soap, was yalso subjected to this durability tes-t. This type of pad averaged 600 strokes to depletion of Afoam and the occurrence of extensive rusting. Another presentday commercially 'available scouring pad, which contains approximately 8.2 grams of soap and 7.6 grams of steel far superior to those pads now Vin commercial use.

l loteogent..y

' Detergent:

Adjuvants:

'From the above dunabilitytest data it can easily be! fj seenthat iapplicants pads of comparable size, both in the amount of steel wool and detergent material used, are

S terials in such amounts as to interfere substantially with the properties and characteristicspossessed by the composition set forth bttovpe'rmit'thc presence of other materials in such arnot'iutsV as not substantially to atleet said properties and characteristics adversely.

Y Y While the invention has been described in terms of pre- Examplc I V l [Pastecompositions exhibiting satisfactory performance characteristics m pads prepared according to the procedures of the foregoing examples are v tabulated below. All parts are by Weight] V33am) 52mm) 25ct) asno) 2gsm) assos) ronca) Plasticizor (Diethanolamidc of coconut oil fatty acids) Inorganic Salts: Y

vPen tasodrlium tripolyphosnhnte r Tetrasodium pyrophosphate- Tris'qdium phosphate v 28. 7 Sodium carbonatei Borax ,Sodium'metasllicat (Ar-*Sodium tetrapropylene bcnzene'sulfonate. (B)-Mague5ium tetrapro'pylene benzene sulfonatc'. (0)-Sodium lauryl sulfate, technical grade.

(D)-Sodiux n saltrol s ulfated coconut oil monoglycerlde. (E-Sodium-N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate.

Example, V

y Additional suitable'pa'ste compositions are:

p Parts by Weight acids Y Diet-hanolamido of palrultie acld. 14. 4 Inorganic Salts:

Pentasodium tripolyphosphate 38 4l Sodium rnetasillcate Y iIfolypropylene oxide of molecular weight Mill-.1200 condensed with ethylene einde in an amountr equal to about 149% by weight or' the nal Y polymr. K

. 4 p YlXrflb/IPLE VI Another suitable paste composition is: v

Y Y Parts by weight Sodium tetrapropylene benzene sulfonate 28,-8

Nonyl phenol' condensed with 'ethylene c 1de to an extent averaging 9.5 etheoxy V"groups per molecul'e 28.8 Penta'sodiurn tripolyphosphte 34.4 Sodium rne'tasilicate-; 8.0V

The nonylV phenol-ethylene oxide condensate may be replaced by an equal amount of Pluronic L-63, a polypropylene oxide of moleculer weight l5Gl-l800 Vcondensed with ethylene oxide in an amount equal to about byvweight ofthe inal polymer.

A'lfllroughout the above disclosure, reference to steel wool carriers-.has been made, however, other iibrous carrierssuch as those rnade of Saran (polymers and copolymers of vinyidine chloride) may be used althoughVV steel Wool carriers are preferred. When using plastic carriersl an abrasive, such as alumina maybe incorporated into the paste to= give the desired scouring eilfrect.

summarizing, the present invention is based upon the Vdiscovery of al ucv/scouring pad and a :new detergent, paste for use in yscanningv pads comprising'a'high foaming non-ionic or anionic synthetic detergent', a buifer, andfa plasticizer which also depress'esV the solubility of the paste.

The term consisting essentially'of as used inthe defrnitionv of the ingredients present in the composition claimed is intended to exclude the presence of other maferred embodimentsthei'eof, it is to be understood that considerable variation fromlthejd'etals herein described might be madeV Without departing from the true scope and spirit ofther invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be Alimited only by the claims set forth hereinafter.

What is claimed is: v1.'A durable scouring padY comprising a ribbon of matted metallic'wool furled 'about a substantially nonaqueous permanently plastic synthetic organic detergent paste lill'er which comprises a non-'ionic plasticizing material.

v 2. A durable scouring padrconiprising a ribbon of 'matted metallic wool furled about a substantially nonaqueous permanently plastic synthetic organic detergent paste filler which comprises anon-ionic plasticizing material, characterized by a penetration of about 2()V to 200 units in the A.S.T.M'. D2l7-48 penetration test.

3. 'A durable scouring pad comprising a ribbon of metallic .Wool furled about a substantially non-aqueous permanently plastic synthetic organic detergent paste composition consisting essentially ofwater-soluble surfaceactive non-soap synthetic organic detergent material, nonionic plasticizing materiaL and an inorganic alkaline buffer salt, said paste being characterized by a penetration of about-20 to 200 units in the A.S.T.M. D2l7.48 penetrometer test.

4. A durable 'scouring pad comprising a ribbonv of matted metallic Wool furled about a substantially nonaqueous permanently plastic'detergent paste rillerV consisting essentially of a water-soluble non-soap synthetic organic detergent, an inorganic alkaline buifer salt having a pH in aqueous solution of about 8.5 to 1l, and a fluid, essentily non-volatile water-soluble non-ionic surface-active plasticizer, said detergent pastebeing characy terized by a penetration of about 20 to 260 units in the A.S.T.M; D217-48y penetrometer test.

5, A durable scouring pad comprising aV ribbon of matted metallic wool furled about a substantially non- Vof aflluid, v essentially non-volatile water-soluble nonionic surface-active plasticizer, which is an alkylolarnide of higher fatty acids of l0 to 18 carbon atoms, said detergent paste beingcharacterizcd by penetration of about 9 20 to 200 units in the A.S.T.M. D217-48 penetrorneter test.

6. A substantially non-aqueous permanently plastic detergent paste composition adapted for use in steel Wool scouring pads consisting essentially of non-cationic watersoluble surface-active synthetic organic detergent material and a non-ionic plasticizer which is a higher fatty acid alkylolamide, said detergent paste being characterized by a penetration of about 20 to 200 units in the A.S.T.M D217-48 penetrometer test.

7. A substantially non-aqueous permanently plastic detergent paste composition adapted for use in steel wool couring pads consisting essentially of a non-cationic solid water-soluble non-soap organic detergent selected from the group consisting of non-soap non-ionic and anionic high-foaming synthetic organic detergents, an inorganic alkaline buifer salt having a pH in aqueous solution of about 8.5 to 11, and a iiuid essentially non-vola- A tile Water-soluble non-ionic surface active plasticizer, said detergent paste being characterized by a penetration of about 20 to 200 units in the A.S.T.M. D217-48 penetrorneter test.

8. A substantially non-aqueous permanently plastic detergent paste composition adapted for use in steel Wool scouring pads consisting essentially of about to 60% of a non-cationic Water-soluble non-soap organic detergent selected from the group consisting of non-soap anionic and non-ionic synthetic detergents which generate at least about 150 millimeters of foam at 0.1% concentration by weight in the Ross-Miles Pour Foam test, about 10 to 65% by weight of an inorganic alkaline buffer salt having a pH in aqueous solution of about 8.5 to 11, and

about 20 to 65 by yweight of a uid, essentially non-volatile Water-soluble non-ionic surface active plasticize'r. k

9. A substantially non-aqueous permanently plastic detergent paste composition consisting essentially of about 20 to 40% of a water-soluble salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate, about 20 to 40% of a higher fatty acid-diethanolamide and about 20 to 45% by Weight of an inorganic alkaline buffer salt having a pH in aqueous solution of about 8.5 to 11.

10. A detergent paste composition as set forth in claim 9 wherein said alkaline buffer salt is pentasodium tripolyphosphate.

11. A detergent paste composition as set forth in claim 9 which contains about 3 to 20% by Weight of sodium silicate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATEYTSv OTHER REFERENCES Sanders et al.: High Activity Alkylolamide Detergents, Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, pp. 33-'36 and 57, January 1956t i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,034,169 May l5, 1962 Peter T. Vitale et. al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 46, for "wood" read wool line 66, 'f'or "I natter" read matted column 2, line 35q before llquld" flrst occurrencei insert a Signed and sealed this 30thday of October 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDEH Attestng Officer 

1. A DURABLE SCOURING PAD COMPRISING A RIBBON OF MATTED METALLIC WOOL FURLED ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY NONAQUEOUS PERMANENTLY PLASTIC SYNTHETIC ORGANIC DETERGENT PASTE FILLER WHICH COMPRISES A NON-IONIC PLASTICIZING MATERIAL. 